Darwin Day resolutions have been again introduced in both houses of Congress, according to a January 18, 2018, press release from the American Humanist Association. The resolutions — House Resolution 699 and Senate Resolution 374 — would, if passed, express support of designating February 12, 2018, as Darwin Day and recognition of Charles Darwin as "a worthy symbol of scientific advancement on which to focus and around which to build a global celebration of science and humanity intended to promote a common bond among all of Earth's people."
The lead sponsor of S. Res. 374, Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) commented, "I am proud to champion and celebrate Charles Darwin's achievements and those of every scientist and explorer who followed in his footsteps." The lead sponsor of H. Res. 699, Jim Himes (D-Connecticut), added, "By celebrating and commemorating the anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, we not only acknowledge his enormous contributions to our better understanding of the origins of life, but send a message that we value education, knowledge and science as our guiding principles."
"Darwin's work has served as the foundation for generations of spectacular progress across the field of biology, underpinning advances in medicine, agriculture, and conservation," commented NCSE's executive director Ann Reid. "Sadly, efforts to undercut evolution education remain distressingly common. These resolutions underscore the importance of ensuring that the next generation has the opportunity to understand this crucial scientific conceptual framework and the evidence that supports it. I encourage members and friends of NCSE to urge their representatives in Congress to endorse H. Res. 699 and S. Res. 374."